THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601260073
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 137 lines
TRINA WILSON, a 1992 Lakeland High School honor graduate, started assessing her interests early on to determine what her goals would be: ``I focused on what I liked to do and what I was most comfortable with - that was working with kids . . . . Mom said that I was always curious. I combined those things to find an area that was good for me, that fit me.''
By junior year, Trina she had decided on law or psychology. College and scholarships were a must. Determination kept her focused. Heavy responsibilities at home and school kept bad influences at bay.
Times were tough, but Trina never wavered. The payoff was big. In the spring of her senior year, Trina had to choose between three prestigious scholarships: University of Richmond's Cigna Scholar award that included tuition, room, board and books; a full-tuition Dean's Scholarship from Spelman College; and a $40,000 Mason Scholar award from George Mason University covering everything from food to tutoring, and guaranteed admission to law school or the Medical College of Virginia.
Trina will graduate from GMU in May with a degree in psychology and a 3.514 grade-point average. She's applying to graduate school and plans to be a doctor of applied psychology.
Her advice: ``First of all, don't look at your parents as enemies. They are friends and good resources for you. Parents would never tell you to do anything that wasn't in your best interest.''
Second: ``Talk to your teachers, not just about school work, and get to know your guidance counselors. They can be very valuable in getting you connected with people, telling you about scholarships and things that you don't even know are out there.'' AISHA DURHAM
Because of teenage pregnancy my mother stumbled into the adult world early. She allowed her hope of becoming an accountant to wilt like a flower so that she was able to watch her children blossom.
My aspiration of becoming a journalist is not my own; it is my mother's also. I want to be her living dream.
My mother taught me one of the secrets to success: education. All my life, she said education would be my ticket to anywhere I wanted to be. Today education has taken me from a two-bedroom apartment in Diggs Town to a 12-story dormitory at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Thanks to God, my parents and a host of supportive people in my community I have managed to stay on a successful track without being derailed by complacency and hopelessness.
This is my advice to young black girls: The world is too big to settle for less than everything.
Our dreams of becoming the journalist or the judge are tangible if we believe in them. Dreams are only dreams if you don't aspire to make them reality. PAULITA BROWN
``To achieve your dreams, remember your ABCs.'' This poster, which hangs in my bedroom, reminds me of what I have to do to be a success.
Remembering your ABCs is very important in achieving your dreams. In order to remember your ABCs, you have to have an ultimate goal and a road map to help you get there.
Each year before school starts, I write down my objectives and prioritize them. I work diligently until I have reached my objectives and as the year starts more goals are added. Each time I complete a task I place a check mark beside that particular objective and write the date I accomplished it in my planner.
The organization part to this process is easy because it is just bookkeeping. The other steps require giving of one's self.
Becoming successful is more than just wanting to be successful, you also have to be self-sufficient and independent in your thinking. However, never be haughty and stop listening to others.
High self-esteem plays a very big role in one's aspirations to achieve. Confidence will allow you ignore distractions and peer pressure.
A positive attitude is also important; you need to be mentally prepared to achieve. Having a support system is also important. You need to find someone who cares. My support system is my family. They have always encouraged me to never settle for less than the best.
Success comes through perseverance. Never give up. DACRIE BROOKS
ISS and OSS.
At age 15, these were familiar terms. I was either at school serving in-school suspension or at home while serving out-of-school suspension. Starting fights, threatening teachers, skipping school and running away from home were all a part of a well-rehearsed weekly routine.
But the routine soon became a jigsaw puzzle. I was confused and trapped within myself not knowing who I was or what I had become. I was angry, depressed and even scared. I realized that I had to pick up the pieces and turn my life around. With a hard look in the mirror, serious self-examination and time I triumphed.
It's not impossible to face all odds and win. You have to learn to believe in yourself. Sometimes it may seem to be a no-win situation, but never give up.
Growing up as a young black woman you have been bombarded with negative stereotypes. Don't buy into them and don't let people tell you that your dreams are impossible. Stand up for what you believe in and when things aren't going your way learn how to face the problem and deal with it. You should always remember that you have choices no matter how narrow they may seem. PAMELA BROWN
The most important thing is to stay focused on your goals.
I am a relentless planner and in high school, whenever I would feel discouraged I would remind myself of my master plan.
I made a countdown to college and I can remember all the way back to elementary school thinking, five more years . . . four more years . . . three more years . . . two . . . one, and here I am!
I also visualize my goals. I used to imagine what my college roommate would be like, what my professors would say in class and what color curtains would hang in the windows.
I still use my visualizing technique because it reminds me of why I am working so hard. MEMO: Paulita Brown is a senior at Princess Anne High School. She has applied
to Harvard University, The Johns Hopkins University, University of
Virginia, Xavier University and Spelman College.
Aisha Durham is a 1995 Lake Taylor High School honor graduate. She was
awarded $7,000 in scholarships from the Lincoln-Lane Foundation,
Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority, PTA-Met-Life Scholarship,
Education Association of Norfolk, Tidewater Korean Association,
Virginia Association of Housing and Community Development Officials and
Antioch Church of Christ Holy Disciples.
Dacrie Brooks, a 1995 honor graduate of Cape Henry Collegiate, is a
freshman at Mary Baldwin College where she is studying journalism. She
received several scholarships that pay most of her tuition, room and
board.
Pamela Brown is a 1995 honor graduate of Western Branch High School. She
is Jerome C. Holland Scholar at the University of Virginia and a
National Achievement Scholar.
ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MICHELLE FRANKFURTER
``Don't look at your parents as enemies. They are friends and good
resources for you.'' - TRINA WILSON
by CNB